Private tour in Edinburgh Gwen K
4.8
(13) reviews
3 hours
1
3 hours
1
Gwen K.
4.9
Guide rating
36
Reviews
Tours delivered
3 hrs
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My passions are my native city of Edinburgh and meeting the needs of people of all nationalities and ages. An avid traveller, I have experienced the 'kindness of strangers' and want to reciprocate the same hospitality in Edinburgh. Born in Glasgow, I have lived in Edinburgh since the age of 6. I went to school, university and work in Edinburgh and have watched the city evolve. I love history and culture and stories about Edinburgh characters. As I have a broad range of interests including the arts, reading, walking, food and shopping, I provide a wide selection of bespoke small group walking tours. I enjoy taking solo travellers on walking tours. I provide bespoke Edinburgh tours for cruise passengers with luxury transport collection from port and return to port. As well as history and culture, my tours include walks in parks and up to the best places for city views, nature and gardens, food tasting tours, shopping expeditions and experiences more suitable for children, teenagers and the 'young at heart'. I enjoy meeting special needs. When my guests are staying on in Edinburgh, I always provide a pack with maps, leaflets about what to see and do and my own typed sheets which include cafes and restaurants, characterful pubs, art, gardens and history, famous Edinburgh writers, past and present and bookshops and attractions for children. I provide multi-day trips. Visitors can either choose a selection of my tours or I can create a personalised package. Free wheelchair use is available. Edinburgh is a very 'walkable' city with most attractions relatively close to each other. For an additional cost, public transport or a private car and driver can be used for some tours. I like to keep up to date with changes in Edinburgh. I am always learning and discovering new places and experiences. Above all, I want you to enjoy Edinburgh as much as I do and have a five-star experience on my customised walking tours to the main sights, neighbourhood areas, hidden gems and secret treasures. What makes me special is my sense of place. Edinburgh is my special place and my place is to make it special for you too. Edinburgh University: MA Honours History and post graduate qualifications in secondary education and in guidance. I am a qualified secondary school teacher of History and Modern Studies and taught and managed schools for many years. First aider I do not have any restrictions in regard to my guiding, I can offer a full range of experiences”
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For the first time visitor to Edinburgh, this is a great walking introduction to the locations and exteriors of the main sights of the Old Town of Edinburgh. Main sights: •Edinburgh Castle (exterior) •Lady Stairs Close and the Writer's Museum •The Heart of Midlothian •St Giles Cathedral (entry for 5 or more people must be pre-booked) •Mercat Cross •City Chambers •Museum of Childhood •Canongate Kirk and graveyard •Whitehorse Close •Palace of Holyroodhouse (exterior) •Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags •Scottish Parliament building
Gwen delivered a great tour for us ! She shared her city and her knowledge and her enthusiasm for Edinburgh with plenty of humor and honesty and respect for it's history. Our half day tour helped us get grounded in the city on our first morning of our weeks long trip to Scotland. And, it felt like an appetizer for an in depth look at all Edinburgh that offers to residents and visitors. We will return and contact Gwen for more adventues !
Gwen was great! She is very knowledgeable, extremely kind and has a dry sense of humour that made the time fly. We’d recommend her to anyone interested in learning more about the city!
Gwen was a wonderful host! Very knowledgeable and personable - the perfect combination when looking to learn more of an area you are not familiar. The communication before our visit was relevant and assisted in making for a wonderful morning. After our tour, Gwen provided us with a customized packet of information that will be helpful for the balance of our time in Edinburgh. Gwen is the reason we return to Tours by Locals time and again. Thanks again Gwen for your time today! Dean and Suzie.
Gwen is a 5 star host / guide all the way. So much detailed information about most anything related to the Castle and Royal Mile and much more. Also a wonderful visit to St Giles Cathedral and chapel on the side with amazing wooden carving. We were there during Fringe Fest which added lots of spontaneous street performers but sometimes made it difficult to navigate and hear all that she had to say. But she did point out some cashmere specialty shops and shopping ideas along with historical facts of the area. Gwen kept the pace of her tour at just the right speed for our toddler and gave many follow up suggestions once we were done. Cant recommend her enough.
I recommend this tour with Gwen! She is enthusiastic about the sights, possesses a treasure trove of knowledge, and shares historic tales at each site that the common visitor wouldn't know. Thanks, Gwen.
Gwen is a treasure! Don't hesitate to take a tour with her. In May this year she gave our group of four women a tremendously informative, fun-filled look into all of the history, charm and secrets of Old Town Edinburgh. You will learn so much and be mesmerized by the extent of her knowledge and love for the city. (You'll make a new friend in the process too.) Thank you Gwen for making us fall in love with your city and giving us a fabulous day we won't soon forget.
We meet at the top of Castlehill at the entrance to the castle. The itinerary walks down from top to toe - from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a distance of approximately one mile. We visit the exteriors of the major sights on the four main sections or parts of the Royal Mile: Castlehill The Lawnmarket The High Street Canongate Along the way we shall visit some of the closes and wynds (small alleyways leading to where people stayed or worked) off the Royal Mile including Lady Stairs Close, Dunbar's Garden Close, Bakehouse Close and Whitehorse Close and hear stories about famous and infamous past historicial figures. We shall also glimpse across to the New Town of Edinburgh and to Carlton Hill. You will see sharp contrasts of architecture both in the new town and the old town of Edinbugh with the juxtaposition of the old and the new. There is something for everyone on this introductory tour which will give you 'your bearings' for the rest of your time in my native city!
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Walking tour
352 Castlehill, Scotland, Scotland, EH1 2NF, United Kingdom
By Guide: The Witchery by the Castle restaurant, 352 Castlehill. Castlehill is the narrow approach road to the castle esplanade and the castle. The Witchery is near the top of Castlehill on the left hand side. End point: Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom of the Royal Mile
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3 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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